Today (March 28) Trump issued an executive order rescinding Obama’s laws that compelled coal fired power plants to reduce GHG emissions.( Coal generated power plants are the largest source of US emissions from the production of electricity.)

Trumps delivered the message himself. Here are three quotes from his press conference.

“With today’s executive action I am taking historic steps to lift the restrictions on American energy, to reverse government intrusion and to cancel job-killing regulations.”

“The previous administration devalued workers with their policies. We can protect the environment while providing people with work.”* (Ed. Note: A claim often advanced by numerous politicians who do not bother to provide justification for this statement.)

“My administration is putting an end to the war against coal.”

With these actions Trump is withdrawing from the war against climate change. But the United States will find that it is a combatant whether it likes it or not.

As we said last November: ”Let’s cross our fingers that the lack of international progress on climate change over the next four years is not fatal.”